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Sexually Transmitted Infections Including
HIV/AIDS |
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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS |
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What is a sexually transmitted
disease?
The general term sexually transmitted
disease (STD) is applied to any of the
group of diseases that can be spread by
sexual contact.
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How do sexually transmitted
diseases spread?
STDs are spread from one person to another
through intimate sexual contact such as
sexual intercourse, oral sex and anal
sex.
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What are the symptoms of STDs?
The symptoms of STIs may include the
following- (i)Itching around the vagina
and/or discharge from the vagina in women
(ii)Discharge from the penis in men (iii)
Pain during sex or when urinating (iv)Painless
red sores on the genital area. (iv) Soft
flesh coloured warts around genital area (v)Pain
in or around the anus for people who have
anal sex (vi) Unusual infections,
unexplained fatigue, night sweats and
weight loss.
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Is it possible for a person to have STD
and not to know about it?
Symptoms of STD in men are
often visible, hence they become aware
that their sexual organs have been
infected. However, women with STIs can be
asymptomatic which means that signs of
infection are not apparent even though
infection is present.
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Can STDs cause other health problems?
Yes. While each STD causes different
health problems, overall, they can cause
cervical cancer and other cancers, liver
disease, infertility, pregnancy problems,
and other complications. Some STDs
increase your risk of getting HIV/AIDS.
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What is to be done in case of
suspicion of an STD?
If you suspect that you have an STD, don't
be shy or afraid to seek help. See your
doctor and ask for an STD check up or go
consult a skin specialist if you are a
male or gynecologist if you are a female.
Don't ignore symptoms or wait for them to
go away. STDs are common and highly
contagious and are more easily treated if
caught early.
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What are the ways to prevent STD
s?
One may protect oneself against STDs by (i)
Staying in a monogamous relationship and
ensuring that her/his partner is also in a
monogamous relationship (ii) Male latex
condoms can reduce your risk of getting an
STI if used correctly. Be sure to use them
every time you have sex. Female condoms
aren't as effective as male condoms, but
should be used when a man won't use a male
condom
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HIV/AIDS
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What is HIV and AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome. AIDS is caused by the HIV (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus) which attacks the
body's immune system - your defense
against infections. Without this
protection, people with AIDS suffer from
fatal infections and cancers.
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How is it spread?
HIV is spread from an infected person to
someone else when there is an exchange of
semen, vaginal fluids or blood. This
occurs during (i) sexual intercourse,
(ii) through the sharing of needles for
injection or (iii) from an infected
pregnant mother to her child, at or about
the time of birth.
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Can HIV be contracted through oral
sex?
Although it is possible to become infected
with HIV through oral sex, the risk of
becoming infected in this way is much
lower than the risk of infection via
unprotected sexual intercourse with a man
or woman.
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Is unprotected anal intercourse
more of an HIV risk than vaginal or oral
sex?
Unprotected anal intercourse does carry a
higher risk than most other forms of
sexual activity. The lining of the rectum
has fewer cells than that of the vagina,
and therefore can be damaged and cause
bleeding during intercourse. This can then
be a route into the bloodstream for
infected sexual fluids or blood.
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How is HIV not spread?
HIV is not passed on by everyday social
contact such as (i) sharing toilets,
(ii) sharing utensils (iii) social gestures
like shaking hands, embracing etc. (iv) Pets
and biting insects, such as mosquitoes (v)
Coughing/ sneezing
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Is there a risk of HIV transmission
when having a tattoo, body piercing or
visiting the barbers?
If instruments contaminated with blood are not
sterilised between clients then there is a
risk of HIV transmission.This can be avoided
by using disposable blades.
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Can HIV be transmitted by kissing?
Saliva does not transmit HIV although the
virus has been found in the saliva of HIV
infected people. If both partners have cuts or
sores in the mouth or bleeding gums, infected
blood could possibly be exchanged- hence deep
kissing should be avoided.
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How can I tell if I have an HIV
infection?
There is a simple blood test that will tell
you if you are infected with HIV. It's called
the HIV antibody test. Your body reacts to the
presence of the virus by producing antibodies.
A test that discovers these antibodies
indicates that you are infected.
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What is “window period” in HIV testing?
HIV antibodies can take up to 14 weeks or
longer to appear in the blood . During this
period, known as the “window period” you can
test negative but actually have the virus.
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What is the difference between HIV and
AIDS?
AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV
infection.
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What are the symptoms which manifest
immediately following infection?
Many people do not develop HIV AIDS symptoms
after getting infected with HIV AIDS . Some
people have HIV AIDS symptoms like a flu-like
illness within several days to weeks after
exposure to the virus. They complain of fever,
headache, tiredness, and enlarged glands in
the neck. These HIV AIDS symptoms usually
disappear on their own within a few weeks. |
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How long does it take for the disease
to progress?
The progression of disease varies widely among
individuals. This state may last from a few
months to more than 10 years. During this
period, the virus continues to multiply
actively and infects and kills the cells of
the immune system by destroying primary
infection fighters, called CD4+ or T4 cells.
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What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
Once the immune system weakens, a person
infected with
HIV /AIDS
can develop the following
symptoms: (i)
Lack of energy (ii)Weight loss (iii) Frequent
fevers and sweats (iv) Persistent or frequent
fungal infections (v) persistent diarrhoea (vi)Short-term
memory loss (vii) Mouth, genital, or anal
sores (viii) Cough and shortness of breath
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I think I may be infected with HIV or AIDS.
What should I do?
See a doctor if you think you may be at risk
or if you have symptoms. You may need to have
a blood test. A positive result means that you
have been exposed to the virus and could pass
it on to others.
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How is it treated?
There is no cure for HIV infection or AIDS;
the virus remains in the body for life.
Several drugs are being tried. One of these,
AZT, arrests the progress of the HIV infection
but is not a cure. There are other drugs to
treat the infections and cancers which could
develop.
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